Depot Theatre goes dark in La Habra

The historic, 135-capacity venue is now without a tenant after city leaders this month canceled its lease with the La Habra Community Theatre.

Like many community volunteer theater arts groups, the nonprofit group that used the intimate playhouse next to the Children's Museum at La Habra on South Euclid Street suffered during the economic recession.

Donations dried up, and volunteers began to dwindle. The theater company couldn't pay the bills, including electricity, gas and insurance costs, city officials said.

Earlier this month, the City Council terminated the $1 annual lease to the all-volunteer theater company, which had been holding performances at the city-owned Depot Theatre since 1982. The move comes as city leaders negotiate new lease agreements with all of the nonprofit organizations operating on city-owned land or in city facilities.

Councilman Jim Gomez said the city is hoping to resume productions at the Depot Theatre, a former station for the Pacific Electric railway. The building is an Orange County Historical Landmark.

“The Depot Theatre has been the crown jewel of La Habra for many years,” Gomez said. “Everyone on the council wants to take an active role to see it thrive.”

The theater group's last performance was “A Christmas Carol Radio Hour,” on Dec. 20-23, according to its website.

City officials said the decision, made by the council during a closed session this month, partly stemmed from issues with the theater company's leadership.

“Several board members have been reduced to three or four,” said Rob Ferrier, assistant to City Manager Don Hannah. “The council felt strongly we should step in and assume control of the theater.”

Phone messages and emails left for theater volunteers were not returned.

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